A tour of the colourful villages of Milos

The settlements and villages of Milos

Plaka

Built on a hill overlooking the Aegean, Plaka is Milos’ main settlement, so it’s more than a village but still quaint enough to be considered one. Above all, it’s a worthy advertisement for the traditional whitewashed houses and bougainvillea-filled courtyards of the Cyclades islands. Take your time to wander the cobblestone streets, popping into souvenir shops and passing family-run tavernas and scattered bars (look for ones with sea views, especially for sunset cocktails). In the Archaeological Museum, you’ll find a copy of the Aphrodite of Milos statue (the original is in the Louvre). And you can visit Panagia Korfiatissa (Milos’ main church, built in 1820 with debris from abandoned churches around the old town), famous for its mosaic courtyard and incredible view. But the best view of all is from the top of Profitis Ilias (the hill that Plaka is built on) where a solitary church stands sentinel over the entire island. It’s a spectacular spot, especially at sunset.

Adamas 

Adamas (or Adamantas) is Milos’ main port and most developed settlement, but that hasn’t stopped it from retaining a village feel. It lives up to its name (short for diamond, in Greek) through Cycladic architecture and selection of restaurants, cafes and bars, and comes with the benefit that it’s only 10 minutes by car from Plaka. No visit to Milos is complete without spending an afternoon or evening in a taverna or bar along the Adamas waterfront. Exploring a little further, you’ll discover a couple of museum gems that are musts for understanding this unique island – the Milos Mining Museum and Katafygio Adamas (Adamas Refuge), which is a WW2 air-raid shelter-turned-museum. 

Pollonia

Pollonia is Milos’ second harbour, from where you can hop over to neighbouring Kimolos or embark on a day trip to uninhabited Polyegos, a Natura 2000 habitat famous for its beaches and endemic wildlife.

But most people come to Pollonia for the freshly caught fish and seaside tavernas. There’s also a sandy beach here, perfectly situated for a pre-lunch swim or for the kids to play on while you extend your lunch. Exploring Pollonia’s alleyways, you’ll find more whitewashed houses and tavernas and cafes to enjoy. And there’s a special treat for scuba divers at the Milos Diving Center.

Trypiti 

Amphitheatrically built on the ruins of ancient Klima, Trypiti gets its name from the soft, hole-ridden volcanic rock (tripa means hole in Greek) that the village is built on. It’s a charming village, with tavernas and cafes and a couple of churches to visit (Agios Nikolaos and the smaller chapel of Panagia Faneromeni) along with a nearby Roman-era theatre. There are wonderful views down towards Klima but the standout attraction is the Catacombs of Milos, an extensive early-Christian burial site (1-5th century AD) made up of a labyrinth of grave-lined tunnels that you can explore with a guide. It is believed that only a fraction of the tunnels has been uncovered. The famed Aphrodite of Milos statue was found near Trypiti. 

Klima 

Right below Trypiti, the tiny seaside fishing village of Klima was made for the Instaverse. If you’ve searched for Milos, you’ve probably already been introduced to Klima’s cute syrmata boathouses, literally built into the rock by the sea, with multicoloured doors and balconies that juxtapose like a dream against the sea. These two-storey houses were traditionally where fishermen stored their boats. Some have been converted into houses. Take as many photos as you want. Lunch awaits at the taverna on the nearby beach. 

Bonus 

Beyond Klima, Milos is home to more of these small seaside settlements famous for their syrmata boathouses, such as Mandrakia (which has a taverna), Firopotamos (and its namesake beach) and Schinopi.